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The new Palm Touchstone wireless charger works on the principle of resonant induction. When you move a magnetic field near a coil of wire, it induces a current in the wire.

Taking advantage of this principle, the Touchstone creates an electrical coupling between two coils of wire that are not physically connected. It does this with a primary coil of wire in the base unit which transmits energy to the secondary coil of wire in the phone via a magnetic field.

The magnetic field generated by the base unit flips back and forth rapidly, generating a magnetic pulse that is carefully tuned to the dimensions of the wire coil inside the phone. This oscillating magnetic field induces a current inside the phone, allowing the battery to be charged.

Similar technology is used to transmit power to some battery-operated toothbrushes, razors, etc.

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The magnetic field generated by the base unit turns on and off rapidly, generating a magnetic pulse that is carefully tuned to the dimensions of the wire coil inside the phone. This oscillating magnetic field induces a current inside the phone, allowing the battery to be charged.

Similar technology is used to transmit power to some battery-operated toothbrushes, razors, etc.

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2 Comments

I asked this as an "ask a question" but this seems more appropriate as a comment; is this charger Qi compatible? With all the upcoming phones that suppor the Qi wireless charging standard it would be amazing to get these chargers for $5-$10.

Can a magnetic field created by old wiring in a house interfere with the Touchstone dock magnetic field, causing the phone not to charge in a particular environment, yet allow the exact same equipment to charge well in a different electrical environment? What are the electrical energy requirements of the Palm Touchstone? Palm will not charge in a particular house, but will charge fine in other environments. I'm suspecting some voodoo in the electrical field in the house. ;)